The Student Council
By David Dasilma

“It was all about respect. Yes, from the start, this whole damn thing was about respect. I believe you can’t trade respect in for anything in this world. However, in order to get respect, you need money and power. At least that’s the case where I’m from. I’ll be the first to tell you that I have that respect. The student council has that respect. It still lives on and it will never, ever die.”—Giles Chanesworth The Student Council is the story of the fourteen British Columbian teens that, in the late 1990s, rebuilt the notorious “Chanesworth Crime Family.” Within these pages, David Dasilma cinematically carries you through the rise and fall of yesterday’s youngest organized criminals. Chanesworth and his crew capture your heart in this novel as you realize that behind the criminally efficient exteriors lay the mixed emotions and typical confusions of everyday high school kids.

A New Classic
First of all, I must say I am a huge fan of gangster films, and with American Gangster coming out following last year's The Departed, I have a newfound love for the genre. Prior to those last two films, contemporary gangster films have sucked for the most part.

Dasilma's "The Student Council" falls right alongside the new slew of hardcore mobster tales. I was actually surprised at how smoothly the story flowed. It was as though I were watching a film. The love story, the violence, and the narrative style were all thumbs up.

This author is the Tarantino of written crime.
I recommend this book to anyone; it's a real page turner and quick enough to warrant future reads.

I look forward to Denzel Washington's new film as well and I hope Hollywood produces this novel one day.

NJ

`CRUEL INTENTIONS' MEETS `GOODFELLAS' & The Author's Message
The following Press Release by Renee Kenner of TCI Smith Publicity (NJ/NYC):

`CRUEL INTENTIONS' MEETS `GOODFELLAS' IN NEW TEENAGE LITERARY ANTHEM

Money, respect, and power make the world go `round. CEO's of billion dollar corporations, politicians, athletes and entertainment celebrities all have it. People with influence, control the world - at least for a time.

In high school, the social hierarchy is similar. The star football player or the richest kids in school are usually the trendsetters and have the most influence on the student population. What they wear, have and do usually dictates what the rest of the student body population will wear, have and do. The kids that don't have it will do almost anything to obtain it. Those that don't have money, cool clothes or new car will steal.

No respect? Take it forcefully. Kill for it.

That's exactly what The Student Council did. Written by David Dasilma and based on his teenage years, The Student Council, an exciting, fast-paced drama centers around 14 high schoolers growing up in British Columbia.

While going through the emotional and hormonally charged highs and lows of normal teenage life, they also form an organized crime family. Taking place in the mid to late 90's, the teens re-establish the notorious "Chanesworth Crime Family." As the students gain the status and power of an organized crime mob, they also gain the problems that come along with it.

Dasilma, an actor and film producer, wrote The Student Council in hopes of opening the doors to those that normally don't read books, but love a good movie. "This was written first and foremost, for movie lovers who aren't necessarily avid readers," remarks Dasilma. "I started out writing The Student Council as a screenplay but it ended up evolving into a book."

He combines the most popular movie themes and ongoing issues in today's society in the book: power, popularity, organized crime, youth and corruption.

Dasilma points to the fascination with organized crime as a reason for writing the book.

"I have yet to understand why people are fascinated with those who wreak havoc on society. Perhaps it's the allure of the dark side we all have or what we secretly wish we could do, or would do," says Dasilma. "Yet, if we were affected by this element in real life we would be horrfied by it."

He also points out the influence of organized crime on today's youth with The Student Council; in particular, hip-hop.

"Almost every crew in hip hop models themselves as dynasties and families the way the mafia does it," says Dasilma. "It'll be a proud day for me when artists start using `Chanesworth Crime Family' references in classic gangster tunes."

"I hope my book," Dasilma adds, "cinematically carries you through the rise and fall of yesterday's youngest organized criminals. Chanesworth and his crew capture your heart as you realize that behind the criminally efficient exteriors lay the mixed emotions and typical confusions of everyday high school kids."

About the author

David Dasilma is from Surrey, British Columbia in the town of Fleetwood. He attended the Vancouver Academy of Dramatic Arts for Acting, attended Valencia Community College in Orlando, Florida and graduated with his AA Degree.

He was a local actor in Vancouver, British Columbia (1999-2003).
Currently a Soldier in the US Army, he plans on returning to Film after service obligation.

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FROM THE AUTHOR

This novel is not a glorification of violence and organized crime; this is entertainment.

The Student Council is a classic Organized Criminal tale that had to be told.

Enjoy this novel and keep your eye open for "Heaven's Devils"...it's on the way. Details soon.

David Dasilma

The Student Council

Interesting Read
I met David on a flight home to Seattle from a business meeting in Chicago. I doubt I would have ordered this book had it not been for the very pleasant conversation we had on the flight. I'm so glad that I ordered it. The book reads like a movie, it held my interest and I truly enjoyed it. I handed it over to my husband and he really enjoyed the story. It was hard to put down once I got in to the story. This is not the type of story I normally pick up to read, but I'm really glad that I did this time.

The Student Council